The Hindu Business Line : GMCI task force to formulate policy measures for SMEs

THE Greater Mysore Chamber of Industry (GMCI) has set up a task force to study the status of small and medium enterprises, suggest measures to the Government to formulate policy prescriptions that identify strategic approach and to identify products in which Karnataka could leverage its competitive edge.

The task force will be headed by Mr N. Vishwanathan, former Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner, and will have the GMCI President as its key co-ordinator. It will have representation from the industry and the chamber to study the status of SMEs and plan strategies to integrate them into the post-WTO regime.

Giving this information to Business Line, Mr S. Chandrasekhar, President of GMCI, said the task force would focus on identifying the products in which Karnataka has a competitive edge. Views of the SMEs would be sought and would be presented at an interactive session with the Government for formulating the right mix of policy measures to revive the ailing SMEs. The task force is expected to come out with its findings in about three months.

Mr Chandrasekhar said GMCI's other focus area would be to evolve a cluster concept in identified products and dispersal of industry across the State to decongest Bangalore, which is reaching a saturation point. Concentration of industrial development in and around Bangalore has not only put severe pressure on its infrastructure, but has also resulted in regional imbalance in the State.

The chamber would also address the problems of unemployment and agri-processing sector, particularly in providing infrastructure to integrate the produce with processing and marketing networks.

It would also take up with the Government in expediting the implementation of the proposal to set up food parks in Jewargi, Bagalkot, Mandya, Hiriyur and Belgaum. The proposal has been stuck for a long time with the Government for clearance after a feasibility report had been submitted by a private bank.

Taking the cue from the Union Finance Minister, Mr P. Chidambaram's announcement in his Budget proposal for upgradation of 500 ITIs (Industrial Technology Institutes) in the country, Mr Chandrasekhar said GMCI would lend its helping hand by taking the case-study of five ITIs in the State to suggest measures for their upgradation.